If I were a betting man (I am, but not in relation to if games will be buggy on release), I would bet that if the XBox360 version of Oblivion is released on the XBox's launch date but the PC version is delayed any significant amount of time (i.e. more than a week), beware of the bugs.

That is odd. That video that plays definitely has a couple of quick flashes of the X-Box360 (during guys bouncing on balls in office and even quicker right have the "champagne" scene). And that ending imagery is damn sexual. Myabe it means you can have sex with the 360?

The Power Glove! That thing was worthless (I know, I got it as a present).

More generally though, I hate it when they show people playing video games. The kids are always mashing crazy buttons and twisting the controller around like mad. There are few shows that present it accurately (The Sopranos did, if I remember correctly).

I think the graphics will look more polished in the final version, especially in a higher quality video. It will probably be like when Madden moved from the PSone to the PS2. The first year on the PS2 wasnt that big of a leap, but the following year was quite a large improvement.

Graphically, Madden's leap from PS1 to PS2 was huge. My brother and I stood in line at midnight to get a PS2 just because of the enormous graphical differences between the two Maddens. I was completely blown away.

Here's the PS1 Madden 2001:

Here's PS2 Madden 2001:

The difference between the current versions of Madden and the X-Box 360 version isn't nearly as wide.

Wow. This is all so unexpected. I remember when I was still a new guy, trying to find my way around this thing called an "internet forum".

I suppose this is the time I should mention those that helped me to reach this goal. First off, I'd like to thank my local EB, for always selling me games at full price when I know that I'll get bored and trade them three weeks. I'd also like to recognize my computer, who through hard work and enduring times, managed to reduce his random crashes to only two or three times a week. Finally, I have to say thank you to Leroy Jenkins, who's inspiration has kept me going all these years. Without you, Leroy, I'd be nothing. Thank you.

Well, the timer would indicate that whatever it is happens on Sept. 27 (Tuesday) at noon. I doubt that's the release of a console (since those usually happen at midnight). More likely, it's the announcement of some game (Halo 3 would be my guess).

Game companies are sick of losing money on their consoles. I can't understand how any one can knock Microsoft for the $399 price. They aren't short changing anyone, they are just trying to give people more options by offering the $299 version.

If Sony releases the PS3 for less than $400 I will be shocked. Not only that, but just think about how much money they can potentially lose if they price the PS3 at $400. There is the system, the built in wireless adapter, the Hi-Def dvd, and I have heard that they are also considering an optional hard drive. I wouldn't be mad at Sony if the PS3 started at $600 dollars with all the crap they are putting in it.

Then there is Nintendo, and I wouldn't be suprised at all if the Revolution was only (ha only) $200. Yet they have catches too, charging to download all the games for one, and the other is that for that price, their machine just won't be able to do what the other two can. I know that it is all about the "game play", but if they don't improve the tech, they can't improve the gameplay.

People might not understand or like what Microsoft has done, but they have just opened gamers eyes to the $400 console price tag. It's kind of funny, because they totally took the burden off of Sony.

Errm I think I've yet to read a post where someone is complaining about the $400 pricetag. People are complaining about the 2 SKU versions. It's bad news for everybody. I agree with the person who stated that the harddriveless consoles won't be gimped. You know why? Because developers will be focusing on the 85% majority of gimped Xbox owners (my guess) for there games. So it is actually the superior HD that is going to have it's games gimped-they won't be nearly as cool as they could have been.

Not true. The Oblivion devs have specifically said that it will run MUCH better on the HD versoin, than on the core system. Therefore the hd-less version is gimped.

He didn't say all games, but 85% of games. In any case, its undoubtably true that many future games won't use the HDD as much as they would have if there had been one SKU.

Actually, he said the developers would be focusing on the "85% majority of gimped xbox owners" meaing that he thinks 85% of people will buy the core version, which I also think is not true at all....at least not for the first few years.

Also, if you read his post, it is clearly implying that he thinks all games will be gimped on the HD version, because of the core system.

You're right - I misread it. I do think he has a point, though; most developers might still use the HDD, but they probably won't do as much as they would have if all systems included a HDD.

Game companies are sick of losing money on their consoles. I can't understand how any one can knock Microsoft for the $399 price. They aren't short changing anyone, they are just trying to give people more options by offering the $299 version.

If Sony releases the PS3 for less than $400 I will be shocked. Not only that, but just think about how much money they can potentially lose if they price the PS3 at $400. There is the system, the built in wireless adapter, the Hi-Def dvd, and I have heard that they are also considering an optional hard drive. I wouldn't be mad at Sony if the PS3 started at $600 dollars with all the crap they are putting in it.

Then there is Nintendo, and I wouldn't be suprised at all if the Revolution was only (ha only) $200. Yet they have catches too, charging to download all the games for one, and the other is that for that price, their machine just won't be able to do what the other two can. I know that it is all about the "game play", but if they don't improve the tech, they can't improve the gameplay.

People might not understand or like what Microsoft has done, but they have just opened gamers eyes to the $400 console price tag. It's kind of funny, because they totally took the burden off of Sony.

Errm I think I've yet to read a post where someone is complaining about the $400 pricetag. People are complaining about the 2 SKU versions. It's bad news for everybody. I agree with the person who stated that the harddriveless consoles won't be gimped. You know why? Because developers will be focusing on the 85% majority of gimped Xbox owners (my guess) for there games. So it is actually the superior HD that is going to have it's games gimped-they won't be nearly as cool as they could have been.

Not true. The Oblivion devs have specifically said that it will run MUCH better on the HD versoin, than on the core system. Therefore the hd-less version is gimped.

He didn't say all games, but 85% of games. In any case, its undoubtably true that many future games won't use the HDD as much as they would have if there had been one SKU.

I'm not trying to be harsh in any of my posts. I just think that it sounds like, "I like liver better than broccoli, even though I have never had liver and don't know what it tastes like."

Except that we know liver is going to perform more or less in the same class as broccoli, and we know liver's history of Japanese developer support, and unique games like Ico and Katamari you wouldn't expect to see on broccoli. The liver price point, as well as many other things, is still up in the air, so putting all your eggs in the liver basket may be a bit hasty. But I think we know enough to at least lean towards one or the other.

Edited to add - Another worry I have is that now since the X360 "extra package" costs $400, I'm sure Sony won't feel so bad to raise the pricepoint for their console to, what, $400-$500?

I doubt it. My guess is the Sony will release the PS3 for $399 and MS will drop the loaded X-Box 360 package to $350. Any price over $399 is too expensive for all but the most hardcore of gamers (think 3DO). In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the PS3 also had a cheaper version available (sans HD) at launch.

Curiously... in a game like Oblivion, why exactly would you need a keyboard and mouse... an RTS I can understand. If the system is designed with a controller in mind it will work just fine.

It's just my prefered method of controlling. IMO, most games with that use a third person perspective (or first person) are easier to control with a keyboard and mouse. If find them to be more precise and, frankly, more intuitive. Especially in games where you need to sort through any type of menus (I assume there will be menus in Oblivion, even if it's only when buying stuff from a merchant), it is easier to point and click with a mouse than with an analog stick.

Of course, it all depends on how much longer it will take for the PC version to come out. If they are released on the same day (which I somehow doubt), I'll go for the PC version. If the PC version will be more than a month after the X-Box release comes out, I suppose it will all depend on how the forum effect hits me. :wink:

Sony would be nuts if they did that. Right now, the word ftom Sony is that the PS3 will launch in Japan before 3/31/06 and in North America late 2006...which I think is giving the 360 way too big a lead...but we will see.

I wouldn't put too much stock into that article - it's just one analyst's idea of what could happen if all the right conditions are met (the main one being the X-Box 360 not selling well). IMO, there's no way Sony lets the X-Box 360 have a two holiday season lead over the PS3.

I wouldn't be surprised if Sony was just talking up the price of the Playstation 3 to hype it up more (something they're very good at). As in - "hey, our system is so advanced it's going to cost a hundred zillion dollars!!!!11001101!!!" This gets all the kids excited and then when the PS3 debuts at $299 they'll think it's an incredible deal and rush out to get it at midnight.

And there are more important things to worry about than high definition telly, Miyamoto argued. "The majority of people won't be playing our system with an HDTV, though with the Revolution, 480p resolution will be standard.

I might be wrong, but don't you need an HDTV to display 480p? Or are there t.v.'s that can display 480p but no resolution higher?